Episode #312: Choranaptyxic

- MuggleCast will be returning to weekly format in April! Thanks, Patrons!- An unprepared/underwhelming Oscars acceptance speech- Fantastic Beasts now on digital release - new clips abound!- The Studio tour is expanding again!- Audiobooks, new words and theater nominations for Cursed Child.- Listener question: What is your earliest Harry Potter memory?- Main Discussion: Prisoner of Azkaban illustrated edition cover is revealed! Is Ernie Prang related to Dumbledore?- The colors remind us of Goosebumps books. Listeners also weigh in.- One more early HP experience to note

* This week’s episode is brought to you by Wondery’s [Imagined Life podcast](http://wondery.fm/muggle) — listen to their Fantastic Beasts episode! It’s also brought to you by Care/Of, makers of monthly vitamin and supplement subscriptions. Visit TakeCareOf.com and use code ‘MuggleCast’ for 25% off your first month.

* Laura is back and gives us her thoughts on the Crimes of Grindelwald! Plus, we share an exciting announcement about the future of the show.

* Will we learn where Fantastic Beasts 3 is set by the end of the film?

* Will Nagini be more than Credence's emotional friend?

* How will Jacob remember Queenie?

* What other Potter characters will be name-checked?

* How explicit will the Grindelwald/Dumbledore relationship be?

* Why can Dumbledore not move against Grindelwald?

* What does it mean that Leta is implicated by prophecy?

* Who will be the unsuspecting hero of the movie?

* Will the core four make it through the film? Who else likely won't?

* Will we see Jacob's bakery? Nurmengard?

* We reveal our Most Anticipated New Character and Most Anticipated New Beast!

* Quizzitch: What are the names of Newt’s three pet Kneazles?

* Next week: Our Crimes of Grindelwald spoiler-FILLED review! Call or e-mail us after you see the movie with your own thoughts!

* This week's episode is sponsored by Casper (Visit [Casper.com/MuggleCast](http://www.casper.com/mugglecast) and use code 'MuggleCast' at checkout) and Robinhood (Visit [MuggleCast.Robinhood.com](http://mugglecast.robinhood.com) for a free stock!)

* Merope is part of a horrible family dynamic with Marvolo and Morfin. Is her family lineage at all to blame for her actions?

* Do we blame Tom Riddle Sr. for abandoning his son? What if he didn't?

* Horcrux alert: the ring and the locket

* As readers, what are we to make of all this guesswork by Dumbledore?

* Who is the worst character in this chapter? Merope? Marvolo? Morfin?

* Connecting the Threads: Parseltongue, snakes on doors and Bob Ogden

* The hosts give their MVPs of the Week and Rename The Chapter

* Quizzitch: How old is Stan Shunpike?

* In Bonus MuggleCast, [available exclusively on Patreon](https://www.patreon.com/posts/22220660) for Dumbledore's Army members and above, we discuss news on Yusuf Kama, Queenie & Grindelwald, the Chupacabra and the French Ministry escape

You asked, we answered: Our latest movie commentary is for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince!

This audio file features our commentary on the sixth Potter movie as we all watch it. The beginning of the file offers instructions on how to sync up with us so that you can watch along! (The movie's audio is not included in this commentary track.)

Patrons were able to join us as we recorded the commentary, and we incorporate their feedback throughout the episode. Enjoy!

* … Did that work? Is he listening to this episode?* With Micah gone this week, we're joined by two of our listeners, Alex and Stefanie, who do their best impressions of the NY News Anchor.* Patrons in the U.S. have received their mugs, but we need to know if they arrived okay! And if yours arrived broken (rare but possible), let us know.* This week's episode is [sponsored by Puffs the Play](http://puffstheplay.com/mugglecast)! Receive a special discount on tickets to see Puffs at New York City's New World Stages.* Chapter by Chapter continues with Chapter 2 of Half-Blood Prince: Spinner's End.* The brilliance of this chapter is how Snape is playing Bellatrix and Naricissa simultaneously but in different ways.* How much does Voldemort know about Dumbledore's injury? He can't know about the Horcrux… right?* Does one line from Bellatrix help make Delphi's existence canon?* Why would Bellatrix have such a hard time trusting Snape's word when Voldemort is content with his reasoning? And what should she do if she had ever learned the truth?* Who is the MVP of the chapter? Those poor elves…* We rename the chapter to reflect what really happens.* Crackpot Theory: Has Bellatrix made an unbreakable vow before?* Have questions or comments about HBP Chapter 3? E-mail mugglecast@gmail.com, or use the voicemail line or feedback form on our website!